Compare the2023 Hyundai Elantra NVS 2023 Subaru WRX

The Elantra N’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the WRX.

The Elantra N has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra N has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the WRX Limited/GT offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the WRX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Elantra N’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The WRX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Elantra N and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Elantra N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the WRX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the WRX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the WRX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

There are over 30 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Elantra N’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 22nd.

The Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (276 vs. 271) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Elantra N is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Hyundai Elantra N was clocked 4.3 seconds faster than the Subaru WRX Limited (187.3 sec. vs. 191.6 sec.).

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra N gets better mileage than the WRX:

The Elantra N offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is more internally efficient than a CVT but just as easy to drive. The WRX doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Elantra N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Elantra N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

For better traction, the Elantra N has larger tires than the WRX (245/35R19 vs. 235/45R17).

The Elantra N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires. The Elantra N’s tires are lower profile than the WRX’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra N has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX. The WRX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Elantra N’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the WRX (107.1 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Elantra N handles at .99 G’s, while the WRX Limited pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

To minimize engine movement during hard acceleration and transmission shifts, the Elantra N has solid engine mounts. The WRX uses conventional rubber.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Elantra N is quieter than the WRX Limited (47 vs. 49 dB).

The Elantra N has .8 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the WRX.

The Elantra N has a much larger trunk than the WRX (14.2 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra N’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The WRX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Elantra N and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra N is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Elantra N has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Elantra N’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT.

The Elantra N has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2022 issue and the Hyundai Elantra N won out over the Subaru WRX Limited.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Subaru WRX by over six to one during 2022.